What is it about the whodunit that makes it universally appealing? Somewhere between the endless human intrigue (what makes someone kill someone else, anyway?) and the opportunity for playing amateur detective, audiences can’t get enough.

More than any other genre, murder mysteries get people talking – we argue about the killers’ motivations and the victims’ decisions, throwing outlandish theories out there to see what sticks. At their best, mysteries keep us guessing until the very end (think Se7en, The Usual Suspects and YouTube original series Escape The Night); but even the not-quite critically acclaimed movies and TV shows still manage to get the heart rate pumping.

Perhaps the best thing about murder mysteries, though, is the fan theories – those often far-fetched evaluations of our favourite murder mysteries that provide a whole new layer of entertainment long after the credits roll. We searched high and low (seriously, it got really low) to bring you five theories about our favourite shows and movies making waves on the Internet. Are they true? Sometimes not even writers and directors can say. Whether you believe them or not is your call.

Be warned – spoilers for all films and TV shows listed ensue.

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The Thing (1982) 

The lowdown: Things turn south for a crew of American research scientists conducting work in remote Antarctica when a mysterious (and very vicious) creature develops a lust for blood. As crew numbers dwindle and victims pile up, the paranoia sets in – could The Thing actually be a friend turned rogue? The fans still can’t make up their minds.

The theory: Childs is actually The Thing. When Childs returns from a mysterious absence from camp, MacReady offers him a drink. Fans have suggested this ‘drink’ is actually a bottle of gasoline, given to Childs as a ‘test’ – Childs would know the difference between gasoline and alcohol, but The Thing wouldn’t.

The counterargument: Star of The Thing, Kurt Russell himself, has discredited this theory, saying the feelings of paranoia the narrative creates are an integral part of the film.

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Fargo (2014)

The lowdown: Wickedly funny and oozing style in every episode, Fargo is a black comedy series that revolves around a series of puzzling and violent events that unfold in the nondescript town of Fargo, Minnesota. The show is inspired by a Cohen Brothers’ film of the same name and takes cues from the quirky tone of the original. The show boasts some of the most intriguing characters on television in recent years but none are quite as distinct as the antagonist from season one, Lorne Malvo.

The theory: Billy Bob Thornton’s character from season one of Fargo is literally the devil. He’s manipulative, mischief-making and, at one point, wearing wings made of blood – does this mean he’s Lucifer himself? Some fans go as far as to say he’s not just evil (he kills and gets away with it, corrupts the people around him and tricks others into committing crimes) but that he’s actually evil personified. Plus, he has certain supernatural abilities (how DID he escape from Lester’s basement?).

The counterargument: Those that choose not to read into the supernatural elements of Malvo’s character simply see him as a psychopath/bringer of chaos, totally devoid of empathy. Besides that, Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks) eventually shoots Malvo to death – the fact that he’s mortal is highly un-devilish.

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Twin Peaks (1990-1991)

The lowdown: David Lynch’s cult murder mystery series amassed just about as many fans as critics when it first aired in the ’90s. FBI agent Dale Cooper arrives in sleepy town Twin Peaks to investigate the death of high school prom queen Laura Palmer. A string of surreal dreams and red herrings later, he’s still trying to get to the bottom of it, as are the fans.

The theory: The series would return after 25 years. Ever since Laura Palmer told Agent Cooper at the Black Lodge that she would see him again “in 25 years,” fans have been holding out on the return of David Lynch’s famous murder mystery series.

The counterargument: There isn’t one – this theory turned out to be true!

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Halloween (1978)

The lowdown: An example of slasher horror at its finest, John Carpenter’s Halloween is widely considered one of the most influential movies of the era. It tells the story of Michael Myers, a properly deranged baby psychopath who, at age six, thinks murdering his sister is a cool idea. Michael goes away for a long time but escapes Warren County Smith’s Grove Sanitarium on Halloween night seven years later with the intention of returning to his home town to kill again. Consequently, Jamie Lee Curtis has one of the worst Halloween nights of her life.

The theory: Dr Sam Loomis (played by Donald Pleasence) is the same Sam Loomis from Hitchcock’s Psycho. Immediately after his harrowing experience with Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic slasher film, Sam Loomis turns his attention towards a doctorate in child psychology in the hopes that he’ll be able to prevent disturbed children from reaching their full potential.

The counterargument: John Carpenter simply wanted to pay homage to the famous Hitchcock film, in a nod to the lasting impact the film had on the horror genre.

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Riverdale (2017)

The lowdown: Based on the Archie comics, Riverdale is the quintessential American teen drama series, feat. sex, lies, fresh-faced all-American babes and the tragic death (murder?) of a popular high-school quarterback. Protagonist Archie Andrews navigates through both regular and irregular (*ahem* a certain clandestine inappropes relationship with a music teacher) teen boy stuff, and an audience swoons.

The theory: Archie was the intended target of the hit that took out poor Jason Blossom all along. Is this a case of Jason being in the wrong time in the wrong place? Is it possible he got caught in the crossfire? The case for this theory revolves around naughty Ms Grundy – if she was telling the truth about her abusive ex, perhaps he would’ve been hunting down her lover, i.e. Archie.

The counterargument: The season one finale turned this theory to dust: turns out, Jason Blossom was killed by his very own father. We enjoyed the theory while it lasted, though.

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Ready to dig your teeth into a new murder mystery? Season two of YouTube Originals series Escape The Night has just dropped and it’s not to be missed. Hosted by YouTube star Joey Graceffa, Escape The Night follows an all-star cast including Tyler Oakley and Liza Koshy. Invited to a Victorian-style masquerade ball, the party guests must attempt to solve a murder mystery – the stakes are high, with stars “killed” off each episode. Who’ll survive this season? Find out for yourself: check out season two of Escape The Night here.